Attachable Extendable and Retractable Earpiece and Protective Casing Assembly for Mobile Communication and Sound Devices

ABSTRACT

An extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly for mobile communication or sound devices including a reel housing integrally formed with or detachably connected to a casing for protecting a mobile electronic device. The reel housing includes a reel mechanism around which the earpiece cables are removably wound. The reel housing includes a flexible wall that is located adjacent an actuator in the reel housing, the actuator operable to retract the earpiece cables Into the reel housing. The earpiece cables are extendable from and retractable into the reel housing. Each of the earpiece cables have one end attached to an earpiece and each of the earpiece cables have a second end attached to a connector plug to electrically connect the earpieces to the mobile electronic device. The casing or fee reel housing also supports a carrying clip that allows a user to attach the mobile communication or sound device and earpiece assembly to an article of clothing or other accessory item supported by the user. In other embodiments, the position of the carrying clip changes to accommodate the locations of particular input and output ports on the mobile electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to extendable and retractableearpieces for mobile sound and communication devices, and moreparticularly to a combination extendable and retractable earpieceassembly integrally formed with or removably attached to a protectivecasing adapted to protect a mobile electronic device.

2. Description of the State of the Art

Portable sound and communication devices deliver sound waves througheither a built in speaker unit or a pair of earpieces adapted to beelectrically connected to and removed from the device. While a speakeris a practical feature for a portable communication device, portablesound systems designed to deliver a user s musical selections or othermultimedia choices over a period of time generally require connection ofat least one headset earpiece, or earpieces per se, to the portabledevice to convey the sound to the user in private, and withoutdisturbing those nearby the user. Also, many portable communicationdevices that have a built-in speaker system also have a socket forreceiving an earpiece connection plug.

Currently, most if not ail portable sound devices, and many portablecommunication devices, are used with headsets or earpieces. For example,portable communication device users rely on headsets or earpieces forconvenience in multi-tasking. Such headsets and earpieces, andassociated wires, however, when not in use, extend and dangle from themobile device, allowing the wires, headset and/or earpieces to becomeensnared on a nearby object, such as the user's clothing, and to rip outof the device causing damage to the headset or earpieces and wires, orboth. Replacement of such damaged parts can be costly.

Additionally, most users of portable sound and communication devices arerequired to carry at least three separate pieces; a carrying case, aheadset or earpieces, and the sound or communication device. Locatingand carrying three separate pieces is often frustrating and timeconsuming. Additionally, certain scientific studies have suggested thatthe extended use of cell phone or blue tooth wireless headset devices,when the cell phone or blue tooth wireless headset device is placeddirectly adjacent to one's ear can result in undesirable healthproblems, such as tumors and cancer, not the least of which is known ascell phone elbow with cell phones. Some users of blue tooth wirelessheadset devices or cell phones in close proximity to the ear have alsoreported increased headaches.

A common accessory furnished with mobile communication and sound devicesis a pliable plastic or rubber casing that extends tightly around theouter body of the device, with apertures in the casing allowing the userto access the controls, inputs, outputs, and displays of thecommunication or sound device. The plastic or rubber tightly fittingcasing protects the integrity of the mobile device if the device isaccidentally dropped or flung into contact with a hard surface byabsorbing potentially disabling shock forces before they reach themobile device.

Presently available recharging units and carrying cases for portablesound and communication devices include assemblies to hold earpiececables around a spool attached to the carrying case or recharging unit.See, for example, U.S. Patent Publications No. 2005/0116684;2005/0255898; and 2007/0293288. The prior art also includes stand aloneheadset cable reel assemblies that attach to the cable itself. Thesedevices add yet another separate component for a user of a portablesound or communication device to deal with. For example, see PatentPublication No. 2001/0035242. Furthermore, presently available casingsare used to protect mobile electronic devices from contact with externalelements to prevent scratches, dents, and even protect from contact withwater. See, for example, U.S. Patent Publications No. 2005/0140255 A1;2008/0039161 A1; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,792.

While minimizing the amount of accessories needed for a mobileelectronic device, the present device also minimizes the length of aconnector plug cable and earpiece cables exposed to the environmentduring use reducing potential damage to the mobile electronic device aswell as injury to the user. This is particularly advantageous forchildren carrying backpacks and sports duffle bags who desire to listento music or speak with their friends on the phone at the same time. Thisis also advantageous to adults hurrying to appointments while carrying abriefcase or purse while speaking on the phone.

None of the aforesaid prior devices provide a combined integralextendable and retractable earpiece cable reel assembly that isintegrally formed with or removably attached to a tight fittingprotective casing for a portable sound or communication device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a carrying clipallowing a user to attach a mobile sound or communication device such asa cell phone, sound pod, PDA, pager, etc, to the user's belt, pocket,handbag, backpack or other personally worn or carried item. The carryingclip fixedly or pivotally attaches to a casing, which tightly encasesthe mobile electronic device. The casing made of rubber, plastic, orother suitable materials is configured so that the interior of thecasing has substantially the same dimensions as the exterior of theelectronic mobile device. The casing includes apertures for the controlsand input and output ports of the mobile electronic device as well as anaperture for each electronic display. The casing, in one embodiment,also includes an integrally formed reel housing portion in which theextendable and retractable earpiece cables are located. In a furtherembodiment, the earpiece cable reel housing is removably attached to thecasing. Each earpiece is attached to an earpiece cable that iselectrically connected to the earpiece at one end, and to a connectorplug at an opposite end. The earpiece cables and connector plug cablespenetrate the reel housing through earpiece cable apertures andconnector plug apertures, respectively. The connector plug is designedto be inserted into the outlet portal of the mobile electronic device.The housing in the further embodiment can be removed for service orreplacement, and reattached again to the casing's posterior side,opposite the casing aperture for the electronic display. The reelhousing portion in another embodiment is integrally formed with thecasing on the casing's posterior side, opposite the casing aperture forthe electronic display. These embodiments of the invention eliminatecarrying three separate items: the cell phone or sound pod, carryingcase, and headset or earpieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to better illustrate the embodimentsof the devices and techniques of the present invention. In thesefigures, like numerals represent like features in the several views. Itis to be noted that these figures, illustrating the several views of thepresent invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarilydrawn to scale. Nor are the contents of the drawings to be considered aslimiting the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the retractableearpiece and casing assembly of the present invention, wherein thecarrying clip is attached the casing, the extendable and retractableearpiece cable assembly is located inside the reel housing, and the reelhousing is integrally formed with the casing. The casing is adapted toencase and protect the mobile communication or sound device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cable reel mechanism lodged in theintegral reel housing of FIG. 1, illustrating a typical extendable andretractable

cable reel in the housing;

FIG. 3 is a side view depicting the reel housing and carrying clip,connector plug aperture, and mobile device control apertures of theearpiece and casing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention depicting theelectronic display aperture in the casing assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side view, opposite of FIG. 3, depicting the reel housingand carrying clip as well as the earpiece cable apertures of theearpiece and casing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventionwherein the carrying clip Is attached to, and the extendable andretractable earpiece cable assembly reel housing is integrally formedwith, a side of the casing. The easing is adapted to encase the mobilecommunication or sound device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrying clipassembly, wherein the carrying clip is pivotally attached to the casingby pivot pins and brackets. The carrying clip rests its the closedposition, abutting the casing, due to the force exerted on the carryingclip by the spring;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a further embodiment of theretractable earpiece and casing assembly of the present invention,wherein the carrying clip is attached to the reel housing, theextendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly is located inside thereel housing, and the reel housing is removably attached to the casing.The casing is adapted to encase the mobile communication or sounddevice;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the protectiveapparatus of FIG. 8, wherein the reel housing (not shown) is removedfrom a pair of brackets attached to the casing;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the detachable reel housing of theembodiment of FIG. 8, where the detachable reel housing is removed fromthe casing; and

FIG. 11 is perspective detail view of the detachable reel housing ofFIG. 8 attaching and detaching from the casing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a retractable earpiece, cable or headsetassembly in a reel housing, where the reel housing is mounted on acasing. In one embodiment, the reel housing is integrally formed withthe casing. In a further embodiment, the reel housing is mounted to thecasing using an attachable and detachable mounting assembly. The casingis adapted to tightly encase a mobile communications or sound device forprotection of the device against shock forces, and the cable assembly isextendable from and retractable into a reel housing integrally formedwith the casing. A clip assembly is also mounted on the casing forattaching the casing and mobile electronic device to a belt, pocket,backpack or strap worn or supported by the user. The invention allows auser to carry only a single item that includes the mobile communicationor sound device, retractable headset or earpiece and cables, and thecasing firmly attached to the mobile device, in lieu of transportingseveral pieces to achieve the same results provided by the presentinvention. The user benefits from the convenience and ease oftransporting and using his or her mobile communication or sound device,and having a clip-on unit and cable reel assembly integrally formed withor detachably mounted on the protective casing extending over portionsof the mobile electronic device to prevent the cables from becomingtangled or hanging loose when the sound capabilities of the portabledevice are not being used.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 and 7, the protective apparatus10 is adapted to protect a mobile electronic device 12, and casing 14,having an integral, hollow reel housing 16, is adapted to fit tightlyover portions of the mobile device 12. The reel housing 16 houses theextendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly 18 of the presentinvention (FIG. 2). As seen in FIG. 1, the reel housing 16 of thisembodiment is integrally formed with the casing 14 of the protectiveapparatus 10.

A carrying clip 20 is pivotally attached to the casing 14 by pivot pins22 (FIG. 7) extending through a pair of brackets 24. Brackets 24 areeach attached to or integral with the casing 14 of protective apparatus10. Carrying clip 20 is biased to the closed position against the casing14 by means of a coil spring assembly 26 (FIG. 7). As will be explained,carrying clip 20 is adapted to removably engage a belt, strap or otheritem worn by a user of mobile electronic device 12.

The hollow reel housing 16 is integrally formed with the casing 14 ofthe protective apparatus 10. A retractable and extendable earpiece cablereel assembly 18 (FIG. 2) is located inside reel housing 16. As seen inFIG. 1, reel housing 16 includes at least one earpiece cable aperture 28through which earpiece cables 30 and 32 extend. Each earpiece cable 30,32 is electrically connected to an earpiece 34, 36. Earpiece cables 30,32 are attached at their respective ends opposite earpieces 34, 36 to aretractable and extendable reel mechanism inside reel housing 16, thatallows earpiece cables 30, 32 to be manually extended from reel housing16 as the user places earpieces 34, 36 in his or her ears.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reel housing 16 includes a shaft 112attached to and extending from the anterior wail 38 of the reel housing16, and the shaft 112 extends toward the flexible posterior wall 40 ofthe reel housing 16. A slit 114 is formed in the upper portion of shaft112. A cable reel 116 is located in reel housing 16, and a coil platespring 118 is located in an open circular wall portion 120 of cable reel116. When cable reel 116 is assembled in reel housing 16, an end 122 ofspring 118 fits into slit 114 of shaft 112, holding one end of spring118 against rotation, The other end of spring 118 is firmly attached towall portion 120 of cable reel 116.

Reel 116 includes a plurality of angled ratchet teeth 124 mounted on arim of the reel 116. A release actuator comprising a button 126, astopper and release assembly including an arm 128, and the releasebutton 126 is pivotally mounted to a shaft 130 attached to the anteriorwall 38 of the reel housing 16. The underside of the outer end ofstopper and release arm 128 includes a stop member (not shown) that isadapted to engage ratchet teeth 124 and allow rotation of cable reel11.6 in the clockwise direction. When release button 126 is pivoted, andarm 128 is moved away from engagement with ratchet teeth 124, spring 118will rotate reel 116 in a counter-clockwise direction, as will beexplained. A small spring 132 engages a sidewall of reel housing 16, andbiases stopper and release arm 128 into engagement with ratchet teeth124.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of concentricconductive rings 134 a, b, c, d are located on the anterior wall 38 ofthe reel housing 16. A printed circuit board 136 is positioned on theanterior wall 38 inside the reel housing 16, and includes a plurality ofconcentric conductive rings 134 a -d. Each of the conductive rings 134a-d are electrically connected to cable 36 and connector plug 42(FIG. 1) by solder points 138 a-d (FIG. 2). In the illustratedembodiment, four spring wiper contacts (not shown) are attached to cablereel 116 and are aligned such that when cable reel 116 rotates, thespring wiper contacts remain in constant contact with a correspondingconductive ring 134 a-d. The four wires in both earpiece cables 30, 32,are each connected to one of the spring wiper contacts on cable reel116. Release button 126 rests against the flexible posterior wail 40Inside reel housing 16, allowing the user to press the outside of theflexible posterior wall 40 of reel housing 16 making release button 126accessible to a user.

When a user desires to extract earpiece cables 30, 32 from reel housing16, the user pulls outward on earpieces cables 30, 32 (FIG. 1) using aslight tension force. The stop member (not shown) on the underside ofstopper and release arm 128 glides over ratchet teeth 124 as reel 116rotates without engaging the ratchet teeth 124. Simultaneously, spring118 is wound, thus storing kinetic energy. When a sufficient length ofearpiece cable 30, 32 has been extracted from reel housing 16, tensionon the cables is released, and the stop member engages one of theratchet teeth 124, preventing reverse rotation of cable reel 116. Reel116 can be fixed at any point on the rotation of reel 116, allowing theuser to extract any suitable length of earpiece cable 30, 32 and havethe earpiece cable 30, 32 fixed at that extracted length until releasebutton 126 is pushed inward.

When the user desires to retract earpiece cables 30, 32 into reelhousing 16, finger pressure is applied to the outside of the posteriorwall 40 of the reel housing 16 adjacent the release button 126 locatedinside the reel housing 16. The pressure applied to the release button126 pivots the stopper and release arm 128 out of engagement with theratchet teeth 124. The kinetic energy stored in spring 118 is released,rotating reel 116 in an opposite direction, thus rewinding earpiececables 30, 32 onto reel 116. At all times during the extraction orretraction of earpiece cables 30, 32 relative to reel housing 16, theearpieces 34, 36 remain electrically connected to solder points 138 a-dand to connector plug 42 (FIG. 1). Earpiece cables 30, 32 are preventedfrom being retracted fully inside of reel housing 16 since the outerdiameters of earpieces 34, 36 at the point where they attach to earpiececables 30, 32, respectively, are larger than the inner diameters ofearpiece cable aperture 28.

The concentric ring-spring wiper contact, spring operated reel andlock-release designs illustrated in FIG. 2 and described above are wellknown in the field of electrical and mechanical design. However, thedescribed retractable earpiece cable structure has not been usedpreviously in a retractable and extendable earpiece cable assembly whosereel housing is integrally formed into a protective casing for a mobilecommunication or sound device.

The ends of earpiece cables 30, 32 opposite earpieces 34, 36 asdescribed above, are electrically connected through solder points 138a-d to a connector plug cable 44 extending from a connector plugaperture 46 (FIG. 1) in reel housing 16. The terminus end of connectorplug cable 44 (FIG. 2) includes a connector plug 42 (FIG. 1) that isadapted to be inserted through the sound output portal aperture 48(FIGS. 3, 4, 5) of the casing 14 and into the sound output portal 50 ofthe mobile electronic device 12. For convenience, the connector plugcable 44 may be a self-coiling cable that is extended when connectorplug 42 is inserted into sound output portal 50.

To operate the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly 18illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a user must insert the mobile electronicdevice 12 into the casing 14 of the protective apparatus 10. The userthen attaches carrying clip 20 to his or her belt, strap, backpack, itemof clothing, etc., by pressing on upper portion of carrying clip 52(FIG. 1) and moving the bottom portion of carrying clip 54 away from thecasing 14 and reel housing 16. When suitably attached to the apparel oraccessory item worn by the user, upper portion of the carrying clip 52is released, and carrying clip 20 holds the casing 14 and mobileelectronic device 12 securely to the user's apparel or accessory item.If necessary or desired, the mobile electronic device 12 is activated tobe able to receive and/or send electronic impulses that are transformedInto sound at earpieces 34, 36.

The user then manually grasps earpieces 34, 36 and applies a tension orpulling force that extracts cables 30,32 out of reel housing 16 throughthe earpiece cable apertures 28. As earpiece cables 30, 32 are extractedfrom reel housing 16, the spring 118 (FIG. 2) acting on the cable reel116 inside reel housing 16 is wound, applying a tension force on theends of earpiece cables 30, 32 extending around the cable reel 116. Uponextracting a sufficient length of earpiece cable 30, 32 from reelhousing 16 to allow the user to insert one earpiece 34, 36 in each ear,the retraction process is halted, and the automatic reel brake mechanismshown in FIG. 2, is activated to brake the earpiece cables 30, 32against being retracted back into reel housing 16 until the user hascompleted using mobile electronic device 12. Before the user can beginuse of the mobile electronic device 12, the user must also manuallygrasp the connector plug cable 44 and gather enough slack to insert theconnector plug 42 through the sound output portal aperture 48 and intothe sound output portal 50.

The length of the connector plug cable 44 is determined by the relativeposition of the connector plug aperture 46 to the sound output portalaperture 48 and sound output portal 50, having enough connector plugcable 44 to reach the sound output portal 50 and plug the connector plug42 into the sound output portal 50. However, the connector plug cable 44should also be short enough to minimize potential snagging of theconnector plug cable 44 on external objects during use. Once theconnector plug 42 is inserted into the sound output portal 50, themobile electronic device 12 can transmit an audio signal through theconnector plug cable 44 and the earpiece cables 30, 32 into the earpiece34, 36 and to the user.

To retract the earpiece cables 30, 32 back into reel housing 16, theuser removes the earpieces 34, 36 from the ears, and applies a brief tugor tension force on the earpiece cables 30, 32. The spring operatedcable reel 116 inside housing 16 is released as explained above, and theenergy stored in the reel spring 118 when the earpiece cables 30, 32were extracted from reel housing 16 rotates the cable reel 116 and drawsearpiece cables 30, 32 back onto cable reel 116 and into reel housing 16until each earpiece 34, 36 abuts reel housing 16 adjacent an earpiececable aperture 28. It is not necessary to disengage connector plug 42from sound output portal 50 when the mobile electronic device 12 is nolonger being used.

Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an extendable and retractable earpiececable assembly 18 and an integral reel housing 16 is provided in asingle unit integrally formed in the casing 14 encasing the mobileelectronic device 12. The user need not carry separate headphones orearpieces and separate attachment devices or pouches when transportingand/or using their mobile sound or communication device. The inventiondescribed above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides the user of themobile electronic device 12 with the convenience of having the earpiecesand attachment apparatus for their mobile device as a single unit, thusproviding ease of use and aiding in preventing the loss of individualcomponents.

FIGS. 3 and 5 are side views of the protective apparatus 10 of FIG. 1showing the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly 18 insidethe reel housing 16 which is integrally formed with the casing 14 andcarrying clip assembly 56. These figures depict input port apertures 38to allow access through the casing 14 to input ports 60. Additionally,output port apertures 62 allow access through the casing 14 to outputports 64. The input port apertures 58 and output port apertures 62 canbe placed in any position on the casing 14 to allow access to inputports 60 and output ports 64. Furthermore, the input port apertures 58and output port apertures 62 can openly expose the input ports 60 andoutput ports 64 to the environment outside the easing 14 or the inputport apertures 58 and output port apertures 62 cast have a flexibleremovable membrane, for example, rubber or plastic, covering the inputports 60 and output ports 64 protecting the input ports 60 and outputports 64 from the environment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the protective apparatus 10 showing theelectronic display aperture 66 allowing access to the electronic display68 and the sound output portal aperture 48 (FIG. 4) of the mobileelectronic device 12, allowing access to the sound output portal 50. Theelectronic display aperture 66 can openly expose the electronic display68 to the environment, or the electronic display aperture 66 cantransparently cover the electronic display 68 protecting the electronicdisplay from the environment, while still allowing the user to interfacewith the electronic display 68.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-5and 7, wherein the carrying clip 20 is mounted on the casing 14 from theleft side of the casing 14 to the right side of the casing 14, insteadof from the top of the casing 14 to the bottom of the casing 14. FIG. 6illustrates that the position of the carrying clip can be altered toaccommodate the position of input port apertures 58 and output portaperture 62, input ports 60 and output ports 64 which in this embodimentare located in the top middle portion of the casing 14. In anotherembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 7 the carryingclip 20 can be mounted in any position to accommodate the needs of themanufacturer or user.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 8-11, thereel housing 16 is removably attached to the casing 14. As seen in FIG.8, a reel housing attachment assembly 70 allows the reel housing 16 tobe manually disengaged from the casing 14, and reengaged again with thecasing 14. The reel housing attachment assembly 70 allows disengagementand reengagement of the reel housing 16 with the casing 14 to berepeated multiple times. The reel housing attachment assembly 70comprises at least one reel housing attachment assembly female bracket72 attached to the casing and at least one reel housing male attachmentpin assembly 74 on opposed sides of reel housing 16 in the illustratedembodiment. This embodiment of the invention has the same amount of reelhousing attachment assembly female brackets 72 as reel housing maleattachment pin assemblies 74. In the illustrated embodiment, twobrackets 72 and pin assemblies 74 are shown, however it is contemplatedthat the removable connection between reel housing 16 and casing 14 maycomprise a single male-female attachment assembly, or more than twoattachment assemblies.

Each reel housing attachment assembly female bracket 72 is integrallyformed with or attached to the casing 14 (FIG. 11) and each bracket isconfigured and spaced from an opposing bracket 72 (FIG. 9) so that reelhousing 16 can be inserted between female brackets 72 thus removablysecuring reel housing 16 to the casing 14 (FIG. 9). Each bracket 72includes at least one aperture 76 that is adapted to receive aspring-loaded male pin 78 extending from male attachment assembly 74 ofreel housing 16. Each pin 78 is configured to fit snugly inside thecorresponding aperture 76 (FIGS. 9 and 11) of female brackets 72. Eachaperture 76 allows the corresponding spring-loaded male pin 78 toremovably secure the reel housing 16 to the casing 14 after pins 78 areinserted through the corresponding female pin apertures 76 (FIG. 11).

Male attachment pin assemblies 74 are integrally formed as part of thereel housing 16 (FIG. 11). The pin assemblies 74 are spaced so that eachpin assembly 74 is aligned with a corresponding aperture 76 of a bracket72. Each spring-loaded male pin 78 rests in the extended position in adirection away from the center of the reel housing 16. The spring-loadedpins 78 are configured so that the tip of each pin 78 is rounded,allowing for easier insertion and removal from the apertures 76. The pinassemblies 74 are sized so that, reel housing 16 removably attachessecurely to the casing 14.

To securely attach the reel housing 16 to the casing 14, a user mustpush in toward the center of the reel housing 16 on each pin 78 of eachassembly 74 so that the reel housing 16 can be inserted between thebrackets 72. The reel housing 16 is not capable of fitting between thebrackets 72 unless all of the spring-loaded pins 78 are pushed in towardthe center of the reel housing 16. Once the spring-loaded pins 78 arepushed in toward the center of reel housing 16, the user places the reelhousing 16 between the brackets 72 and against the casing 14 in aposition whereby each spring-loaded pin 78 is aligned with acorresponding aperture 76, Once each spring-loaded pin 78 is in positionaligned with a corresponding aperture 76, pin assemblies 74 will holdthe pins 78 in the pushed-in or non-resting position toward the centerof the reel housing 16. The user then slides the reel housing 16 intoposition between brackets 72 so that the spring-loaded pins 78 move backto their resting positions and extend through the correspondingapertures 76, securing the reel housing 16 against the casing 14 andbetween the brackets 72.

To remove the reel housing 16 from the casing 14, the user manuallypushes Inward on each spring-loaded male pin 78 protruding through andresting in the female apertures 76 so that the spring-loaded male pins78 are no longer protruding in a perpendicular manner, relative to thebrackets 72, through the apertures 76. The user simultaneously moves thereel housing 16 until each spring-loaded pin 78 is held in thenon-resting position, pushed toward the center of the reel housing 16 bythe brackets 72. Once the brackets 72 are pushing in on the tips of pins78, the user can release manual pressure on pins 78 and remove the reelhousing 16 from the casing 14.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 8-11, the carryingclip assembly 56 is mounted on the reel housing 16, so that when thereel housing 16 is removed from the casing 14, the carrying clipassembly 56 remains attached to the reel housing 16.

In another embodiment (not shown), the carrying clip assembly 56 ismounted directly to the casing 14. The reel housing mounting brackets 72and each pin assembly 74 are configured on the casing 14 so that use ofthe carrying clip assembly 56 is not impeded regardless of whether thereel housing 16 is engaged with the casing 14. Furthermore, the carryingclip assembly 56 can be of a different design configured to avoid animpediment created by the brackets 72 when the reel housing 16 isdisengaged from the casing 14, or with the reel housing 16 when the reelhousing is engaged with the casing 14.

The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. The description was selectedto best explain the principles of the invention and practicalapplication of these principles to enable others skilled in the art tobest utilize the invention in various embodiments and variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isintended that the scope of the invention not be limited by thespecification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A protective apparatus for a mobile electronicdevice, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports andat least one electronic screen display, the protective apparatuscomprising: a casing having internal dimensions adapted to tightly andremovably attach around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronicdevice while having an aperture mat permits access to the at least oneelectronic screen display when the protective apparatus is assembled tothe mobile electronic device; a reel housing disposed rearward of a rearsurface of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus isassembled to the mobile electronic device; an extendable and retractableearpiece cable assembly located in the reel housing and including atleast one earpiece cable and a reel mechanism around which the at leastone earpiece cable is wound, the at least one earpiece cable beingextendable from and retractable into the protective apparatus; each ofthe at least one earpiece cable having a first end attached to anearpiece and a second end electrically connected to a connector plugthat is electrically connected to an output port of the mobileelectronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to themobile electronic device; and the casing, the reel housing, and theextendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly forming an integratedassembly to be used and stored by a user when the protective apparatusis assembled to the mobile electronic device.
 15. The protectiveapparatus of claim 14, wherein the reel housing is integrally formedwith the casing.
 16. The protective apparatus of claim 14, wherein thereel housing is removably attached to the casing.
 17. The protectiveapparatus of claim 14, wherein the casing is made of a pliable material.18. The protective apparatus of claim 17, wherein the pliable materialfurther comprises rubber or plastic.
 19. The protective apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the reel mechanism further comprises a stopper andrelease assembly that alternately prevents rotation of the reelmechanism and allows rotation of the reel mechanism.
 20. The protectiveapparatus of claim 14, wherein the reel mechanism releasably maintainsthe at least one earpiece cable in an extended position relative to thereel housing.
 21. The protective apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising a release actuator that when engaged allows retraction of theat least one earpiece cable.
 22. The protective apparatus of claim 1,wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly includestwo earpiece cables.
 23. A protective apparatus for a mobile electronicdevice, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports andat least one electronic screen display, the protective apparatuscomprising: a casing having internal dimensions adapted to tightly andremovably attach around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronicdevice while having an aperture permitting access to the at least oneelectronic screen display when the protective apparatus is assembled tothe mobile electronic device; a reel housing disposed along a planarsurface of said casing, the planar surface disposed adjacent a rearsurface of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus isassembled to the mobile electronic device; an extendable and retractableearpiece cable assembly located in the reel housing and including atleast one earpiece cable and a reel mechanism around which the at leastone earpiece cable is wound, the at least one earpiece cable beingextendable from and retractable into the reel housing; wherein when theprotective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device to beused and stored by the user, the casing is attached to the rear of themobile electronic device and is tightly and removably attached aroundall peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device, and the casing,the reel housing and the extendable and retractable earpiece cableassembly form an integrated assembly with each of the at least oneearpiece cable having a first end attached to an earpiece and a secondend electrically connected to an output port of said mobile electronicdevice.
 24. The protective apparatus of claim 23, wherein the reelhousing is integrally formed with the casing.
 25. The protectiveapparatus of claim 23, wherein the reel housing is removably attached tothe casing.
 26. The protective apparatus of claim 23, wherein the casingfurther comprises pliable material.
 27. The protective apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the pliable material comprises rubber.
 28. Theprotective apparatus of claim 26, wherein the pliable material comprisesplastic.